A Gallery of Abandoned Drive-In Movie Theaters

The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933, and 70 years later the abandoned drive-in movie theaters severely outnumber the drive-ins that are still operational. Movie theaters are more popular than ever, but for some reason drive-in movie theaters just didn’t fit the bill for moviegoers. It’s tough to figure out exactly why the drive-in movie theater failed. They’re convenient and comfortable, it requires very little overhead cost (all you need is a screen, a projector, a snack bar, and a field), and the biggest downside is that it’s easy to throw your smallest friend in the trunk and get him in for free. Nonetheless, drive-in movie theaters are now a thing of the past, and we have the photos to prove it:

Justin – I’m the Editor & Publisher of the website Digital Cinema Report and I’m completing a book about the current transitional period in the movie theatre business called Last Picture Shows. I’m interested in getting permission to use one of the photos displayed here (number 15 from the top) for the cover. You (or the photographer if it’s someone other than you) would get full credit. If you’re interested I’d also like to get as large a copy of it as possible. Thank you. – Nick